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While it may not enthrall the hardcore RPG crowd, I believe Faery is the perfect game to introduce new gamers to basic RPG tactics and gameplay. And even hardcore gamers will find a lot of value and gameplay in this colorful, unique kingdom of Faeries. And you can't beat the price, making it a great value as well.

While some may make the case that Faery: Legends of Avalon is too simple, or that it doesn't bring much new to the table, I find that attitude hard to understand. For a very reasonably-priced and small-scale download, players get a well-rounded RPG featuring a fantastic art style and unconventional subject matter that's rarely (if ever) been covered. The adventure may not last for sixty hours or make players sweat with grinding difficulty, but when taken in the proper context, Faery is a noteworthy effort that I'd very much like to see more of.

As a whole, the game is simple, but still fun. I kept having a drive to press on. The game definitely came out of left field, and did surprise me with the quality, when I knew nothing about it going in. It is good to see a sleeper hit like this on the downloadable channel every once in a while. If you have the time to spare, or want to be introduced into the RPG genre, definitely give the game a shot, as I feel you will not be disappointed.

Overall, Faery: Legends of Avalon is a great attempt at bringing the RPG genre to the Xbox Live Arcade. Very few downloadable titles contain as much depth as this and, at 1200 Microsoft Points; this is certainly a game to purchase if you enjoyed the trial.

I give Spiders credit for their work on Faery: Legends of Avalon. If they maintain the quality music and dialogue from the game, improve the plot, and fix the controls and world maps, they'll have a decent game on their hands, worth the 1200 MS points. In that case, pick up the first episode of the series. Otherwise, your money is better spent elsewhere.

A few other issues such as a lack of voice acting and plenty of typos mar what is otherwise an enjoyable experience, but there is still a considerable amount of charm to be found in this RPG-lite adventure. Hopefully people give it the chance it deserves; it's not perfect, but it is a great addition to the genre, and unparalleled on XBLA.

Faery is a solid fantasy role-playing game, but the short tale means it’s not quite worth the 1200 Microsoft point price tag. As part of an episodic endeavor, the first installment naturally leaves you feeling like the story is unresolved, but it’s great fun to fly around interesting backdrops. The massive character customization also makes your faery or elf feel unique, so if you enjoy leveling up and finding loot, you should check out Faery: Legends of Avalon.

Trinket-gathering and whack-a-mole can’t turn Faery into a budget-priced classic. But between its quaint characters and charming attitude, it’s still an entertaining enough way to while away a few afternoons in service to imaginary nobility.

Faery: Legends of Avalon is a interesting little offering. There are a few interesting things going on under the hood, indicating the game is aiming for something just a little different. At the same time, there's a noticeable lack of understanding about what makes these elements fun in the first place. Faery is a good attempt, but falls short in execution, especially considering the asking price.

For 1200 Microsoft Points, Faery will net you roughly ten hours of amusement. Although the game never manages to be much more than average, the colorful dialogue and impressive visual design make it a world worth exploring. The game also ends with a "To Be Continued," meaning that a sequel or possibly sequels could be in the works. Though the minimalistic plot fails to leave a lasting impression, the game's stylistic charm can't be denied.

Faery is commendable for being among the first foray of the core RPG genre in the downloadable space dominated by twin-stick shooters and bite-sized platformers. With a price tag of $15, Faery's total playtime of anywhere upwards of 10 hours makes shelling out Microsoft's funny money worth it, even though you shouldn't expect to be completely blown away by what you've just bought.

Despite the ongoing list of criticism I hold for Faery, there is something about it that comes through that prevents me from completely writing it off. Do not get me wrong, as a game Faery disappoints in many ways. But there is a childlike charm that shines through. The imagination and character that the game contains is superb and the creative team at developer Spider should be acknowledged for their efforts. The concept art is truly exceptional and the soundtrack acts as the duct tape that holds together the many fragments this game is delivered in. You also have to bear in mind that this is quite a unique game on Xbox Live Arcade with not really many competitors in its genre. So I would recommend Faery: Legends of Avalon to those younger players who enjoy casual RPG’s or if you are completely new to the genre. I would like to add that the whole genre should not be judged by this title alone as it is quite a poor example overall.

While I consider Legends of Avalon to be mediocre, it has the potential to be a good stepping stone for Spiders. When you consider the immense amount of folklore passed on through cultures, there is a near-infinite amount of subject matter to pick from for however many sequels this game will have. If effort is placed into improving the writing, making combat a more fun experience against more interesting creatures and improving a few other things, I can see me having an overall positive feeling about this game, as it at least was the beginning of something special. But if the next game also is marred with enough flaws to also be little more than a good concept somewhat lacking in execution, I doubt I'll have any fond memories of my first trip to Avalon.

If you fancy the idea of an RPG-lite Brothers Grimm tribute act, then go right ahead. But if you can tolerate more than half an hour without wanting to eat your own earwax, you'll be doing better than I.

After five or six hours, Faery: Legends of Avalon presents another all-black or all-white decision that makes no difference one way or another, because the game immediately ends the moment you make it. That sounds frustrating, but it's actually an appropriate conclusion to a game that ushers you from one insignificant decision to the next. Choice is good, but it rings hollow when you have no investment in the potential consequences. Thus, Legends of Avalon amounts to a bunch of bland missions separated by elementary turn-based battles that inspire only a few faint yawns. Pass on this particular fairy tale and you'll exponentially improve your odds of living happily ever after.

Faery: Legends of Avalon set out to do a lot, and we have to respect the game's developers for that. Between the wide variety of locales, the impressive bits of character customization, and the myriad choices both big and small, this game had lofty ambitions. Sadly, the game does very few things right – the poor design and garbled English make this a sloppy offering that isn't worth your time or money.

Overall, I say pass on Faery: Legends of Avalon, as it is almost no fun once you get past the fact that you get to fly around the world. The game might look good, but shows why it flew under the radar onto the Arcade with a boring errand trip through a fairy tale land.